Pootatuck State Forest

Quick Facts

Things To Do

Overview

Pootatuck State Forest is a nice local forest, and on a glorious day you can pop by Beaver Bog, a swamp close to Kettletown State Park. Members of the Mohican tribe moved from the Berkshire Mountains into western Connecticut along the Housatonic River that they named Pootatuck or "River of Falls." The white settlers gave the name of the river to the Indians who lived near the river. There was a lot of charcoal-making in the area and there are remains still to be found.

In 1926 the State of Connecticut started purchasing land to form the Pootatuck State Forest at $10 per acre of land. By 1929 this date the state had acquired 960 acres. Today the Pootatuck State Forest contains approximately 1,155 acres (of which Squantz pond has 850 acres).

Activities

Hiking

Hiking in Pootatuck State Forest is an excellent opportunity for the outdoor enthusiast. Trails follow old charcoal wagon roads and there are trails in the northern Pootatuck State Forest that connect up with those of Squantz Pond.

Hunting

Hunting in the Pootatuck State forest is an excellent opportunity for the someone who wishes to secure his or her own meal.

Winter Sports

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are excellent opportunities in the winter.

Directions

Driving

US 84 east; Exit 5 off 84; set odometer to 0 as you exit; at 7.1 miles turn right onto Beaver Bog Road; follow directions below for the three areas of Pootatuck Forest.

western Pootatuck:
at 8.0 miles there is a Connecticut State Land diamond-shaped sign; followed by a gate blocking a woods road and then follow by another miniature parking area, if you can call it that.

southern Pootatuck:
at 8.4 miles turn left onto Woods Road; drive 0.1 of a mile and turn left into a parking area.

northern Pootatuck (adjacent to Squantz Pond):
instead of getting off at Beaver Bog Road go .2 of a mile farther north on Route 37 and turn right onto Pine Hill Road; travel a total of 1.7 miles (turning right where there seems to be a strange fork in Pine Hill Road and it goes two ways?) to a dead-end parking area.